Senator Gaston Supports Bill to Convert Unused Properties into Homes

Today, state Senator Herron Keyon Gaston (D-Bridgeport), voted in support of a bill he co-sponsored, intended to reduce the high cost of housing by eliminating the red tape around the conversion of commercial buildings into residential developments.

Senate Bill 1444, ‘An Act Concerning the Conversion of Commercial Real Property for Residential Use,’ was proposed by Senator Rahman and passed by the state Senate on a 33-3 vote. It will now head to the House for consideration during the final week of the session.

“This is something that speaks to the fierce urgency of now in reference to what we need to do here in the state of Connecticut around Housing,” said Sen. Gaston. “Converting these vacant and unutilized commercial properties, into residential units can rapidly increase the housing supply, especially in our urban areas. This can help address the blight problems and therefore reduce some of the crime we see around the area.”

The legislation would boost the availability of homes in Connecticut by allowing developers to convert unused commercial space into housing, subject to summary review by the municipality where the property is located. The change allows towns to opt into an expedited approval process to bypass hearing and permitting requirements that often slow conversion projects.

In order to be converted into residential developments, properties would still need to meet applicable building and fire codes under Senate Bill 1444. The proposal requires towns and cities to decide on a conversion application within 65 days of its submission.